Indonesia continues to stand out as one of Asia’s most active digital economies. With millions of mobile-first consumers and a rapidly expanding online retail sector, the country offers strong opportunities for global businesses that plan to enter or grow in the market. To succeed, you need to understand how Indonesian buyers pay, which digital payment methods they prefer, and how local conditions influence checkout behaviour.
Understanding the Indonesian shopper
Indonesia’s e-commerce market is expanding quickly, growing from USD 59 billion in 2022 to an expected USD 87 billion in 2027. Shoppers are also spending more each year, which shows how strong and active the market has become.
More than half of online transactions are completed on smartphones or tablets. For most retailers, this means a smooth mobile checkout and support for trusted local wallets will have the biggest impact on conversions.
Moreover, digital payments are already a normal part of daily life. Indonesia counted roughly 144 million digital payment users in 2024, and 94% of consumers said they’ve paid online. Familiar brands matter too: 78% have used OVO at least once.
Cross-border shopping is also common. 63% of consumers have bought from international sellers, especially for clothing and electronics. Whether you’re selling from abroad or building a local presence, knowing how Indonesians prefer to pay will help you design a checkout experience that actually fits the market.
Top digital payment methods in Indonesia
E-wallets
Digital wallets represent the leading payment method in Indonesia’s e-commerce market. In 2023, they captured about 40% of online transactions. Projections suggest this may reach 47% by 2027. Indonesia’s young population and widespread mobile internet access support this strong adoption.
E-wallets are deeply embedded in daily life, often linked with ride-hailing, food delivery, and e-commerce platforms. Their rewards systems, simple user interfaces, and fast checkout flows make them a natural choice for mobile-first shoppers.
Key wallets include:
- GoPay: Part of the Gojek ecosystem. Offers instant payments for services such as transport, food delivery, and online shopping.
- OVO: Popular among e-commerce buyers and widely used for offline purchases in major retail chains.
- DANA: A standalone digital wallet with broad acceptance for utilities, retail, and online marketplaces.
- ShopeePay: Integrated with the Shopee marketplace and used extensively for promotions, top-ups, and day-to-day purchases.
According to a 2024 survey, 88% of respondents use GoPay. DANA follows with about 83%, and OVO and ShopeePay also maintain a strong presence. These wallets process millions of transactions daily across retail, transport, bill payments, and peer-to-peer transfers.
Bank transfer
Bank transfers remain an important payment method in Indonesia. In 2023, they accounted for roughly 27% of e-commerce transactions, making transfers the second most common choice after e-wallets.
Bank Indonesia’s BI-FAST system has transformed how people send money between banks. From its launch in late 2021 to September 2025, BI-FAST handled more than 9 billion transactions worth over IDR 25 quadrillion (about USD 1.5 trillion). Its low fees and near-instant transfers support both convenience and trust.
Many Indonesian buyers prefer bank transfers for higher-value purchases or when they want a direct link to their bank accounts. Real-time payments are expected to grow strongly in the coming years, supported by rising interoperability, improved mobile banking apps, and national open API standards.
QRIS (QR code payments)
QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is now a core part of Indonesia’s payment infrastructure. It brings every major provider under one unified QR format, allowing shoppers to pay by scanning a single code with any participating wallet or banking app.
QRIS is used widely across cities and smaller towns. Its simplicity helps merchants reduce their reliance on cash, while buyers gain a reliable and convenient payment experience. As digital literacy improves and more small businesses adopt QR acceptance, QRIS continues to gain traction in both online and offline settings.
For businesses operating in tourism hubs such as Bali, QRIS is especially valuable. The standardised format makes it easier to serve both domestic travellers and international visitors who already use QR-based payments.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
BNPL services have gained popularity among Indonesian shoppers, especially younger users who want short-term instalment options without needing a traditional credit card. These services help buyers manage monthly budgets and access products that might otherwise be out of reach.
The market outlook is strong. The BNPL sector is projected to reach around USD 8.59 billion in 2025. Forecasts indicate steady annual growth extending to 2030, when the market could exceed USD 13 billion. Partnerships between BNPL providers, fintech platforms, and e-commerce marketplaces continue to support this upward trend.
BNPL attracts customers who want flexibility and predictable repayments. For merchants, offering reputable BNPL options often leads to higher cart completion and increased order values.
Credit and debit cards (including GPN)
Cards continue to play a role in Indonesia’s online spending. They are commonly used for travel bookings, subscription services, and cross-border purchases.
The card payments market is expected to grow in the coming years, supported by rising consumer preference for electronic payments. Latest projections show an annual growth rate of close to 9% between 2025 and 2029, with total value reaching approximately IDR 1,379 trillion (USD 87 million).
Although cards may not dominate daily retail spending, they remain an important payment method for higher-value transactions and international merchants serving Indonesian customers.
Quick comparison of Indonesia’s payment methods
|
Payment method |
Description |
Pros |
Cons |
|
E-wallets |
Mobile-based wallets used for everyday purchases |
Fast checkout, broad adoption, strong rewards |
Requires smartphone and app familiarity |
|
Bank transfer |
Direct transfers via online or mobile banking |
Trusted, suitable for high-value amounts |
Requires manual steps for some buyers |
|
QRIS |
Unified QR standard used across apps and banks |
Easy for SMEs, simple for buyers, covers online/offline |
QR acceptance varies across smaller regions |
|
BNPL |
Short-term instalment or deferred payment services |
Flexible payments, useful for larger baskets |
Requires credit assessment, buyer eligibility varies |
|
Cards |
Credit and debit cards, including domestic schemes |
Familiar for international buyers, useful for travel |
Lower usage in day-to-day purchases compared to wallets |
What to prioritise based on your business model
Online merchants (e-commerce, SaaS)
Online shoppers expect quick checkout and payment methods they already use. Prioritise major e-wallets to reach mobile-first buyers, and add BNPL if you sell higher-value items where instalments can lift conversion.
Bank transfers remain important for customers who prefer paying through their banking apps. A clean, mobile-friendly checkout flow will go a long way in reducing drop-offs.
Offline businesses and SMEs (including Bali’s tourism sector)
Physical stores need fast, accessible payments. QRIS offers broad coverage and simple scan-to-pay flows, while e-wallets meet the expectations of local shoppers who default to mobile payments.
In tourism areas like Bali, card acceptance is still essential for international visitors. A mix of QRIS, e-wallets, and cards usually provides enough coverage without overcomplicating operations.
Marketplaces and platforms
Marketplaces manage payments for many sellers, so the setup must support structured payouts and consistent performance. High-usage digital wallets help reduce checkout abandonment, and bank transfers appeal to buyers who trust paying directly from their bank. Choosing methods that work smoothly with split settlements and automated flows will simplify onboarding and daily fund management.
Subscription-based services
Cards are still widely used for recurring billing, but adding auto-debit or wallet-based recurring payments gives mobile-first customers more flexibility. Clear options to pause or adjust a plan can also help support retention.
Cross-border sellers
Cross-border sellers need to build trust quickly. Offering local payment methods and showing prices in the local currency make the checkout feel more familiar and reduce friction. Using local routing and settlement paths where possible can improve success rates, and supporting the most trusted methods helps international merchants compete with domestic players.
Best practices to accept payments in Indonesia
- Provide a mix of the most familiar payment methods, including leading e-wallets and bank transfers.
- Use QRIS to simplify QR acceptance and reach more buyers.
- Use virtual accounts where needed to automate reconciliation and reduce manual checks.
- Keep fee structures manageable by using local routing or domestic settlement paths.
- Improve payment security with risk controls, tokenisation, 3D Secure, and verification tools.
- Protect buyers with clear refund processes and accurate transaction information.
- Use monitoring tools to track declines and investigate unusual patterns.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s digital economy continues to expand, driven by mobile-first shoppers and strong adoption of e-wallets, bank transfers, QRIS, BNPL, and cards. By offering the right mix of payment options, you place your business in a better position to serve local buyers, support international customers visiting regions such as Bali, and build sustainable growth across your sales channels. A clear approach to payment choice, security, and localisation helps you compete more effectively in one of Southeast Asia’s most active e-commerce markets.
